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16 CONSIDER PLANTING SUPPLEMENTAL FORAGE Ongoing Almond Board-funded research shows that planting forage provides honey bees with better nutrition — and healthy honey bees means better pollination. 9 FORAGE BENEFITS FOR BEES AND ALMOND POLLINATION Research shows that forage does not compete with almond blooms and indicates a trend toward increased colony strength with supplemental forage, in particular with the brassicas. 10 In general, orchards with supplemental forage plantings tend to have higher nut set than those without plantings. 11 Plantings consistently extend flower resources for bees after orchard bloom. Supplemental forage in particular provides bees with natural nutrition before and after bloom, when there is a dearth of pollen. Honey bees respond positively to forage plantings and collect pollen and forage from them. 11 Plantings can also be managed to flower before the almond blossoms and can provide supplemental nutrition for bees ahead of bloom. Potential for frost damage (impact on soil and air temperature). Soil-borne pests and weed suppression. Navel orangeworm: How do cover crops impact populations in grounded mummy nuts? Cover crop management: What are the best mixes for different situations and what is the best date to terminate? In light of researchers' discovery of forage's benefits for bees, emerging agreements include a discount on hive rental prices if forage is planted. HORTICULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS Bee forage can be planted within the orchard as a cover crop or adjacent to orchards, i.e., along margins or in open fields nearby. In addition to providing robust food resources for honey bees, growers who plant bee forage cover crops within orchards may benefit from multiple other improvements, including: Improved soil fertility Improved water infiltration Improved soil moisture conservation Fixed nitrogen Increased organic material Soil stabilization and erosion control The Almond Board of California is funding research to better understand the benefits and trade-offs of in-orchard plantings. Some of the key items of study include: 12 Impact on soil health. Water use (both for the cover crop and tree water status). 9 DeGrandi-Hoffman, G.; Chen, J.; Carroll, M., 2013. Comparing the Effects of Protein Supplements vs. Natural Forage on Colony Health, 2013-2014 Almond Board of California Annual Research Reports. 10 Nino, Elina, 2016 and 2017. Longitudinal Evaluation of Honey Bee Colonies on Different Forage Regimes. Almond Board of California Annual Research Reports. 11 Williams, N.M., 2017. Evaluating Alternative Bee Forage Plantings to Support Honey Bees in Almond Orchards–Assessing Bloom Time, Bee Use and Orchard Pollination. Almond Board of California Annual Research Reports. 12 Gaudin, Amelie, et al. 2018. Management and Benefits of Cover Crops in Almond Orchards. Almond Board of California 2018 Research Update.